Israel offers aid to Cyprus following killer blast

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israel offered aid to Cyprus in the wake of an explosion at a naval base that killed at least 12 people.

The accident early Monday morning occurred after arms seized in 2009 from an Iranian shipment to Syria caught fire. More than 60 were injured in the blast, which also destroyed a power plant and leveled homes.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who spoke Monday with Cyprus President Demetris Christofias, instructed all relevant officials to immediately dispatch medical and rescue equipment to the disaster zone, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.

Netanyahu told Christofias that Israel recalls and appreciates the immediate assistance that Cyprus extended during the Carmel wildfire and noted the friendly state of bilateral relations. Christofias thanked Netanyahu and said this was an expression of the genuine friendship between Cyprus and Israel, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.